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Viviscal Review: Shown to Be Safe and Effective for Hair Growth

By Erika Thiede, MS, RDN, CSSD

Last Updated on April 19, 2023

Medically Reviewed by Natalie Olsen, MS, RDN

Dietitian Rating:

4.0

About This Rating
The average rating of this product is calculated based on the evaluation of the following factors:
  • Support for Claims:4.5
  • Ingredient Safety:4.0
  • Value for the Price:4.0
  • Customer Service:3.5

Viviscal’s supplements have been shown to be effective in supporting hair health, according to several clinical studies. Results may be seen in as little as three months, but six months of supplementation is ideal.

Written by
Erika Thiede, MS, RDN, CSSD
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Integrative and Functional Nutritionist
Erika Thiede is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with 10 years of experience in the field of nutrition. While at USC, Erika worked alongside the head sports dietitian, allowing her to realize her true passion was in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Erika completed her master’s degree at Loma Linda University and became a registered dietitian in 2015.
Medically Reviewed by
Natalie Olsen, MS, RDN, LD, ACSM-EP
Registered Dietitian, Certified Exercise Physiologist
Natalie is a registered dietitian, functional medicine practitioner and certified exercise physiologist with over 15 years experience in the health and wellness industry and holds a Master's degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine through a collaborative program provided by the University of Western States and the Institute of Functional Medicine.
Viviscal Review: Shown to Be Safe and Effective for Hair Growth

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

  • Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements are backed by multiple clinical trials published in respectable scientific journals.
  • Research shows increased hair growth and thickness within three months of supplementation, with optimal results seen within six months.
  • You may need to continue supplementation (one capsule per day) for sustained growth, so ongoing costs should be considered.
  • Viviscal has a good safety profile with no known side effects. However, this product is not suitable for people with shellfish allergies.
  • The company does not offer a money-back guarantee, meaning you cannot request a refund if the product does not work for you, as you’ll need at least 60 days to see results. They do, however, offer a 30-day return policy on unopened packages.
  • Between Amazon, Trustpilot, Target, and Ulta, there are over 15k reviews, with most users stating that Viviscal helped them. However, there were reports of side effects like upset stomach and skin irritation and the supplement not being helpful.
  • If you are experiencing thinning hair with excess shedding and want to try an affordable, drug-free, safe solution that has been shown to be effective, Viviscal may be a good option.

What Viviscal Gets Right

  • Multiple clinical studies support Viviscal for hair health.
  • There are no reported safety concerns.
  • Contains a comprehensive ingredient list that supports hair health.
  • The supplement is suitable for all hair types.
  • Has an overwhelming number of positive reviews.

Important Considerations

  • Six months may be required to see optimal results.
  • Continued supplementation is likely needed to sustain results.
  • It is not vegan.
  • Not appropriate for people with a shellfish allergy.
  • Studies have been done on smaller groups, possibly limiting the representation of larger populations.

Viviscal in a Snapshot

Viviscal is a hair health brand that has been on the market for over 25 years. Their hair growth supplement aims to combat hair loss by providing vital nutrients to the hair follicles and supporting the anagen phase of hair growth.

This supplement contains a comprehensive formula of well-researched ingredients that have been shown to benefit hair health. According to several clinical trials, the hair supplement leads to stronger, thicker hair within six months in men and women.

Viviscal products are not FDA-approved, but the brand states its products meet the FDA requirements.

How to Take It

You will need to take Viviscal hair supplement twice daily, one tablet in the morning and one at night. It is recommended to take it after a meal.

One box provides a one-month supply, but taking the supplement for at least three months is recommended, with six months providing the best results. According to the brand, once the 6-month period is over, you may want to continue supplementing with one pill daily to maintain hair growth.

Many consumers stated that the product was easy to take. However, some users did not like the flavor.

Buying Options and Cost: Reasonably Priced

Viviscal is an affordably-priced supplement available directly from the brand at the following options:

  • Single Box (one-time purchase of 30-day supply): $40, plus $6.95 shipping
  • Monthly Plan (one box delivered monthly): $36, free shipping
  • 3-Month Plan (three boxes delivered every three months): $96, free shipping
  • 6-Month Plan (six boxes delivered every six months): $180, free shipping

Viviscal offers a fairly restrictive return policy. You can return your unopened product in its original packaging 30 days from the order date. The company does not offer a money-back guarantee, meaning that you cannot return the product if it did not work for you or if you experienced any side effects (you’ll likely need to consume the supplements for at least three months to see if it’s working for you).

This supplement is also available at most major retailers, including Amazon, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, and Walmart. However, we found that the cost per box when bought from Walmart or Target is cheaper than from the brand’s website.

Try Viviscal

Vivascal’s Ingredients May Support Your Hair Health

Viviscal supplements contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that may decrease hair shedding and improve hair health.

The ingredients include:

  • Millet Seed Extract: High in omega-3 fatty acids, research has linked fish oil and omega-3 supplementation to increased hair growth. (1)
  • Zinc: Researchers have determined that zinc may play a role in the protein synthesis involved in hair production and support the production of hair follicles. (2)
  • Iron: Hair loss is a common sign of iron deficiency. It is necessary to consume enough iron to ensure healthy hair growth. (3)
  • Niacin: A vital B vitamin that promotes blood flow and may encourage thicker hair growth by supplying the hair follicles with nutrients through increased blood flow. (4)
  • Biotin: A well-known B vitamin often used within hair and nail supplements. However, research on the efficacy of supplemental use for people not deficient in biotin is inconclusive. (5)
  • Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant and vitamin that plays an essential role in collagen production and helps the body absorb iron — both important for supporting hair health. (2)
  • Calcium: An essential element for hair health, research has found 200 times the calcium in hair than in the blood. (6)
  • AminoMar® Marine Complex: This is Viviscal’s trademarked ingredient. It is made from shark cartilage and mollusk powder (derived from oysters). Clinical research shows these ingredients may help support new hair growth and improve hair shedding. (7)
  • Horsetail Extract: Taken from the horsetail plant, it is a good source of zinc and silica as both minerals have been linked to improved hair growth. (8)

Viviscal’s Clinical Trials

Several clinical trials produced results that support Viviscal supplements for nourishing thinning hair and promoting hair growth in women.

In particular, a 3-month study showed that Viviscal’s trademarked AminoMar marine complex promoted hair growth and decreased shedding in women with thinning hair. During the study, the participants were asked to follow their typical hair care routine and maintain the same color, style, and cut. (7)

Another study on Viviscal supported supplementation in improving the overall thickness of hair, reporting an 80% increase in women’s hair growth after six months of supplementation. (9)

Finally, an additional study found that taking the supplement daily helped reduce hair shedding within the first 3–6 months and helped thicken hair after 6 months. (10)

Important Note: While the results of the studies were promising and showed improvement in hair health in as little as 3–6 months, they were done on a small group of people. More robust research on a larger population would be helpful.

Safety Considerations

Research shows no severe side effects or safety concerns from taking Viviscal. Still, some users reported an upset stomach and skin irritation. If you have a shellfish allergy, you should avoid this supplement, as shark cartilage and mollusk could cause adverse reactions.

You should not take this supplement if you are pregnant, nursing, or under 18.

How Viviscal Compares to Alternatives

Viviscal has a lot of standout features. It is affordable, comes from a reputable brand, and has a comprehensive list of well-studied ingredients and several published clinical trials indicating its effectiveness and safety.

Below is a summary of how Viviscal compares to three popular, top-rated hair supplements. Nutrafol is the only other supplement on the list with published clinical trials to show effectiveness and safety, although just like Viviscal, these trials did not include a large number of participants.

Viviscal Nutrafol Moon Juice SuperHair HUM Hair Strong Gummies
Key Ingredients Millet seed extract, Zinc, Iron, Niacin, Biotin, Vitamin C, Calcium, AminoMar Marine Complex, Horsetail Vitamins A, C, D, and E, Biotin, Zinc Selenium, Amino acids, Black pepper, Marine Collagen Ashwagandha, Turmeric Keratin, Horsetail Ashwagandha, Saw palmetto, Kelp, Horsetail, Iron, Iodine Zinc, Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K Folic acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Zinc, PABA
Published Clinical Trials
Form and Daily Dose 2 tablets 4 capsules 4 capsules 2 gummies
Recommended Duration 6 months 6 months 6 months 4 months
Single Box Cost $40 $88 $60 $26
Subscription Cost $36 $79 $54
Return Policy 30-days, unopened packages 30 days, unopened packages 45-day money-back guarantee; 30-day return policy 30-days, unopened packages
Vegan

Expert Tip

Hormone changes, age, genetics, poor nutrition, and even daily stress impact your hair’s health. (11) Start with changes to your diet to ensure it is well-balanced before leaning on supplementation. We list several resources below to help you get started.

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At WellnessVerge, we only use reputable sources, including peer-reviewed medical journals and well-respected academic institutions.

  1. Effect of a nutritional supplement on hair loss in women - PubMed:
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25573272/
  2. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use - PMC:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/
  3. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review - PMC:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/
  4. A pilot study evaluating the efficacy of topically applied niacin derivatives for treatment of female pattern alopecia - PubMed:
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17168873/
  5. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss - PMC:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/
  6. Nutrition of women with hair loss problem during the period of menopause - PMC:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4828511/
  7. A 3-Month, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Ability of an Extra-Strength Marine Protein Supplement to Promote Hair Growth and Decrease Shedding in Women with Self-Perceived Thinning Hair - PMC:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4389977/
  8. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair - PMC:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3509882/
  9. A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multi-center, Extension Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of a New Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair - PMC:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4689507/
  10. A Marine Protein-based Dietary Supplement for Subclinical Hair Thinning/Loss: Results of a Multisite, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial - PMC:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4738482/
  11. Taylor & Francis Online: Systemic causes of hair loss:
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07853890.2016.1180426